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can not lay a consistent bead

11-09-2012, 11:20 AM

im starting to get a little frustraded with my stick welding. i can run a bead using any weive technique and it looks great very consistent with the amount of beads i make, however, when i just run a stright bead with no weive one will look good and bad and good. i dont under stand what im doing wrong. iv ask my instructor for help, but he just says keep practicing.

Comment

Comment

Is your steel plate large enough so you are not crowding your welds, bump up the heat about 10 amps or so, keep the rod plum with your work, but leaning back 10 to 15% in direction of travel, keep a tight arc, grasp the stinger loosely, feel for the rod to be trying to push it along after its started, 7018 is known for that, just go with it once you get it started

Comment

Yup, about 10 amps more.....when beginning concentrate on bracing your shoulders and letting your body "float" while focusing on the rod being stable...I use one finger from the other hand as a rest (similar to holding the barrel of a gun. Do not squeeze the rod as you will get burned.....keep your standoff height steady....u will get the hang of dragging the rod then maintaining height at the same time.....be patient. Maske sure rods are cooked(hot) much easier to work with for a beginner....

Is your steel plate large enough so you are not crowding your welds, bump up the heat about 10 amps or so, keep the rod plum with your work, but leaning back 10 to 15% in direction of travel, keep a tight arc, grasp the stinger loosely, feel for the rod to be trying to push it along after its started, 7018 is known for that, just go with it once you get it started